Former Syracuse Crunch enforcer Brandon Sugden is leaving the Hershey Bears to take a contract in Russia.

Sugden will play for Chekhov Vityaz of the KHL. That's a team located near Moscow, one that already has Darcy Verot and Chris Simon. Sugden wouldn't say what he will make there, but said he was pulling in $90,000 with the Bears.

"If it wasn't for the wife and kids, I'd chase the (NHL) dream until I was 50,'' said Sugden, 31. "But it's a tough contract to turn down.''

Sugden signed with the Bears as a free agent in the off-season. He played in just eight games, compiling 33 PIM.

"Being with a good team in Hershey, it's a tough to crack the lineup,'' he said. "I believe with all my heart and soul, they are going to win the Calder Cup. That's what makes it so tough to leave.''

I suggested - jokingly - that the real reason he's changing leagues is that he wants no part of the Crunch's Jon Mirasty when the Crunch and Bears meet later this month.